Hamas is not much different from the Taliban and many Gazans miss the good old days when Israel controlled the strip. I have heard Gazans saying this and they miss the freedoms they once enjoyed under Israel and later the PA. Now those freedoms are gone and the Gazans live in fear of their Hamas jailers.

I'm sorry to hear the hate in your talkback towards Hareidim. First, you can't put all Hareidim into one box together. Believe it or not, different Hareidim believe differently and act differently. There are many Hareidim in the IDF, and more are joining each year. I don't have figures for how many are learning rather than in the workplace and I doubt if you do, either, but keep in mind that in many families where the man is learning, the woman is working. There are many programs teaching Hareidim skills in order to move into the workplace. And there are many Hareidim who are actively searching for jobs. Hareidim certainly don't hate women. Women are highly respected in the Hareidi world.

On reading the article I was thinking along similar lines as post #9 and was wondering that since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza what had the PA and Hamas really achieved,apart from war, on behalf of its citizens.Religious edicts and University courses geared towards militarism is all that seems to show.